Earthtoys – Coal, Nuclear Decline As Renewables Increase Share Of U.S. Electricity Supply
COAL, NUCLEAR ELECTRICITY GENERATION DECLINES
AS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES SOAR;
NON-HYDRO RENEWABLES GROW BY TEN PERCENT OVER 2007
Industry News February 18, 2009
Ken Bossong,
Washington DC – According to the latest figures published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its “Electric Power Monthly” report released on February 13, 2009, renewable sources of electricity enjoyed significant growth during the past year while nuclear and coal both experienced notable declines.
Specifically, EIA reports that net electricity generation in the United States dropped by 0.9 percent from November 2007 to November 2008. This was the fourth consecutive month that net generation was down compared to the same calendar month in 2007.
The drop in coal-fired generation was the largest absolute fuel-specific decline from November 2007 to November 2008 as it fell by 4,380 thousand megawatt-hours, or 2.7 percent. Declines in Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, and West Virginia totaled 4,262 thousand megawatt-hours.
Nuclear generation was down by 2.3 percent and was second only to coal-fired generation in its contribution to the national drop in net generation. The biggest drop in generation at a nuclear plant was at the Millstone facility in Connecticut, which was down for part of the month for a refueling outage.
On the other hand, EIA figures show that renewable energy, including conventional hydropower, increased by 7.3 percent — reflecting a combined increase of 6.1 percent in conventional hydropower coupled with a 10.0 percent increase in non-hydro renewables (i.e., solar, wind, geothermal, biomass).
Earthtoys – Coal, Nuclear Decline As Renewables Increase Share Of U.S. Electricity Supply
U.S. Requires New Nuclear Reactors to Withstand Plane Crashes
U.S. Requires New Nuclear Reactors to Withstand Plane Crashes
By Tina SeeleyFeb. 17 (Bloomberg) — New nuclear power plants must be built to ensure that a strike by a commercial airplane won’t result in a radioactive release, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said.
“This is a common-sense approach to address an issue raised by the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001,” Dale Klein, chairman of the commission, said in an e-mail statement today after the final rule was passed.
Companies including Dominion Resources Inc., Exelon Corp. and Entergy Corp. have already filed applications seeking to build reactors and would be subject to the new standards.
Oyster Creek concerns transcend drywell issue
Oyster Creek concerns transcend drywell issue APP.com 15 Feb 09
The focal point of most of the safety concerns at the Oyster Creek nuclear plant recently has been the drywell, a steel barrier surrounding the plant’s reactor vessel that is supposed to contain radiation in the event of an accident. The fear is that the 40-year-old drywell is continuing to erode to the point it could buckle, creating a potentially cataclysmic accident.
That concern is well-warranted. Thanks to the tenacity of citizen activists, approval of a 20-year license renewal is being held up pending further analysis of the drywell’s structural integrity…………………….
But that issue has tended to obscure broader concerns about nuclear power — issues that argue strongly against the renewed push to increase the nation’s dependence on it. The point was underscored at a forum last week sponsored by the Ocean County League of Women Voters. Two experts on nuclear waste, Paul Gunter of Nuclear Watch, and Frank von Hipple, a physics professor at Princeton University, expounded on the topic.
They addressed two major issues: the vulnerability of Oyster Creek’s spent fuel pool to a terrorist attack and the ongoing failure to find a safe, practical way to dispose of the huge amounts of nuclear waste being generated by the nation’s, and the world’s, reactors……………………… even if the drywell passes muster, the plant as a whole, and nuclear power, likely never will. Despite claims by the industry that nuclear power is efficient and affordable, it benefits from huge indirect federal subsidies, and the economics are growing worse.
According to the current issue of FP magazine, it costs $5 billion to $9 billion to construct new plants, takes nine to 12 years to build them once they are approved and requires 2,400 people to operate them. For nuclear energy to even maintain its current 15 percent global share of electricity through 2030, a 1,000-megawatt reactor — nearly double that of Oyster Creek — would have to be built every 16 days for the next 21 years.
Extending the life of Oyster Creek is a bad idea. Counting on nuclear energy to supply the electrical needs of future generations is economic and environmental suicide.
Oyster Creek concerns transcend drywell issue | APP.com | Asbury Park Press
Editorial: Cut the bluster in nuclear disarmament talks
Editorial: Cut the bluster in nuclear talks The Dominion Post | Monday, 16 February 2009
Few issues in international affairs are as riddled with cant and hypocrisy as that of nuclear proliferation, writes The Dominion Post.
The United States regards Iran’s nuclear programme which the Iranians maintain is only for the peaceful generation of power as abhorrent and and a huge danger to world peace. At the same time it turns a blind eye to the nuclear programme of Israel, which has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
US President Barack Obama’s answer when asked if he knew of any nuclear power in the Middle East was an evasive warning of the dangers of an arms race in the region. If he had chosen to answer honestly, he would acknowledged that Israel, which will neither confirm nor deny whether it has the bomb, is thought to have about 200 nuclear warheads. He would have pointed out that the Israelis will not allow international surveillance of its Dimona nuclear plant, in the southern Negev desert.
Similarly, the US was equivocal in its response when Pakistan became a nuclear power, and agreed to share nuclear technology with India, another country that joined the nuclear club after the non-proliferation treaty.
It is also easy to forget that the non-proliferation treaty was founded on a bargain. Countries without the bomb agreed not to go chasing after it; those with the bomb agreed to work towards getting rid of their arsenals. There has been much talk and some progress in achieving that but thousands of weapons still remain.
One estimate, by the Federation of American Scientists, is that the US still has 9400 warheads, though only 2200 operationally deployed in a strategic role, and with a good proportion of the others retired and awaiting being dismantled. The same organisation estimates Russia has about 2700 deployed strategic warheads, but is also reducing its arsenal and intends to be down to 1800 by 2015.
Those numbers are still an obscenity that defies belief and, especially in the case of Russia, with its rundown infrastructure, terrifyingly high……………………….Mr Obama’s desire to “restart” the conversation with Russia over nuclear weapon reductions and work on further cutbacks in the two countries’ arsenals is welcome. His recognition that only then will Russia and the US “have the standing to go to other countries and start stitching back together the non-proliteration treaties that, frankly, have been weakened over the last several years” is exactly what is needed in both Washington and Moscow.
Editorial: Cut the bluster in nuclear talks – Editorials – The Dominion Post
The most serious accident in US commercial nuclear power history: people vs. government
The most serious accident in US commercial nuclear power history: people vs. government the Morehead News By Nicole Back February 13, 2009 After three decades, the debate continues.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission stands by its claim that the most serious accident in US commercial nuclear power history did not cause any physical harm to those who were directly affected.Hundreds of people lived near Three Mile Island when equipment malfunctions, design related problems and worker errors led to the partial meltdown of the TMI-2 reactor core. Residents insist the US government is lying about what really happened to them.“Here I am 30 years later and I’m absolutely astounded that they got away with murder,” Mary Osborne said………………………..Osborne has been researching the accident and its effects on her and her neighbors ever since it happened. She takes pictures of mutated plants and animals, collects official documents and gives presentations in Washington, D.C. She has written separate letters to The Economist and Fortune Magazine. Her work was presented in Japan in 1987 and at DePaul University in Chicago in 2001…………………………………A professor with the University of North Carolina School of Public Health led a study of cancer cases within 10 miles of the facility from 1975-85. Dr. Steven Wing’s findings were published in the Journal of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in November 2003.
According to his report, hundreds of local residents questioned the NRC’s position that high-level radiation exposure as a result of TMI was impossible. People who lived near TMI reported metallic taste, nausea, vomiting diarrhea, erythema, hair loss, deaths of pets and farm and wild animals and damage to plants………………………..Lung cancer and leukemia rates were two to 10 times higher downwind of the TMI reactor than upwind……………………..On December 3, 2002 The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the Summary Judgment of the United Sates District Court for the Middle District. Lawyers for 1,990 plaintiffs who claimed they suffered health damage from radiation released during the reactor meltdown gave up. The lawsuits were mostly against former TMI owner General Public Utilities Corp.
Tags: nuclear, antinuclear, urasnium, radioactive
Victory! $50 Billion for Toxic Nuclear Pork Cut from Stimulus Bill
Victory! $50 Billion for Toxic Nuclear Pork Cut from Stimulus Bill
Beyond Nuclear 13 Feb 09
Congressional negotiators in the House of Representatives and the Senate agreed late Wednesday evening (February 11) on a $789 billion stimulus bill but killed an attempt to squander $50 billion on new nuclear reactors. The agreement, made in the conference committee, axed a proposal from Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah) to include $50 billion in pork barrel federal loan guarantees for the nuclear industry. The Congressional Budget Office stated earlier this year that nuclear utilities would default on more than 50% of the loans, leaving taxpayers and ratepayers to foot the bill.”This is a big victory for common sense and the American taxpayer,” said Kevin Kamps of Beyond Nuclear who helped lead the campaign on Capitol Hill to cut the $50 billion for nuclear power. “This toxic nuclear pork had no place in a bill designed to put Americans back to work and and salvage our economy. Our legislators are to be applauded for getting their priorities right and saying no to yet another blatant attempt to prop up an industry that has never stood on its own financial feet.”The nuclear industry has received an estimated $500 billion in public subsidies over the past half century,” Kamps continued. “This monumental waste of money had to end. The nuclear industry cannot solve the climate crisis and fattening the nuclear calf has deprived real energy solutions like renewable energy and energy efficiency programs of essential support for decades.”
Stimulus To Fund Renewables, Energy Efficiency, Grid
UPDATE:Stimulus To Fund Renewables, Energy Efficiency, Grid
CNN Money By Ian Talley
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Congress will funnel more than $40 billion into clean energy and efficiency programs – and offer around $20 billion in tax breaks – as part of a near $800 billion stimulus bill designed to jolt industries into life across the economy.
The provisions in the bill – a deal hammered out between House and Senate negotiators late Wednesday that still needs to be passed by both chambers – will primarily give a major boost to renewable energy, electricity transmission and energy efficiency sectors…………………….. “The plan…will save or create more than 3.5 million jobs over the next two years…will ignite spending by businesses and consumers and make the investments necessary for lasting economic growth and prosperity,” Obama said Wednesday at a stop in East Peoria, Ill., one of many towns across the country hit hard by the economic meltdown.
Nuclear industry advised to hush up about Yucca
Beyond Nuclear 13 Feb 09 Nuclear industry advised to hush up about Yucca An article in the latest issue of Nuclear Waste reveals that the nuclear industry is being advised to go silent on the failed Yucca Mountain proposed radioactive waste dump site and “repackage its message” including to “stop talking about the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository altogether.” The article quoted Pat Cavanaugh, legislative director to Rep. Mike Doyl (D-Pa) as telling the industry to focus its message on “zero emissions and green jobs” and to disengage from the “yes-toYucca, no-toYucca fight.”
Austin won’t sign off on nuclear plant expansion – Austin Business Journal:
Austin won’t sign off on nuclear plant expansion
Austin Business Journal February 12, 2009 “The Austin City Council voted on Feb. 12 against participation in the proposed expansion of a South Texas nuclear plant………………………Worley Parsons, a consultant the city hired to evaluate NRG’s proposal, concluded that an Austin investment in the proposed project could have the city paying $2 billion or more over at least the next seven years.
That sum would require a significant sum of debt relative to Austin Energy’s size, the analysis said, that could in turn result in a downgrade of its credit rating and lead to higher future borrowing costs.”
Austin won’t sign off on nuclear plant expansion – Austin Business Journal:
Los Alamos Lab Missing Almost 100 Computers
Los Alamos Lab Missing Almost 100 Computers eweek.com By Roy Mark2009-02-12 The nation’s primary nuclear weapons testing lab is again involved in an embarrassing security gaffe. Watchdog group reveals the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico has lost 13 computers in 12 months and that 67 other computers are currently missing.
Bill would limit future Utah nuclear power plants
Bill would limit future Utah nuclear power plants
Associated Press – February 11, 2009 1:15 PM ET SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Lawmakers have introduced a bill in the Utah House that would effectively stop any nuclear power plant from setting up in the state. The measure introduced on Wednesday would prevent nuclear power plants from operating in Utah unless there is a federally licensed facility with adequate capacity available to dispose of any high-level radioactive waste. The proposed Yucca Mountain repository in Nevada has a capacity limit that is already too low to handle the material expected to be generated by the country’s 104 commercial reactors before they are shut down. Unless Congress removes the 77,000-ton limit on Yucca Mountain, it would have to approve a search for a second repository to handle future waste. A companion bill also has been introduced in the Utah Senate.
Salazar: Renewable energy offers ‘huge potential’ along Atlantic Coast
Salazar: Renewable energy offers ‘huge potential’ along Atlantic Coast
capecodtoday By James Kinsella 10 Frb 09
When it comes to wind projects built off the coast of Massachusetts, the proposed Cape Wind project south of Cape Cod might just be the start.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said renewable energy offers “huge potential” along the nation’s Atlantic Coast.
I
Salazar: Renewable energy offers ‘huge potential’ along Atlantic Coast
Should atomic energy be part of the Obama plan?
OpEd News 9 Feb 09
Should atomic energy be part of the Obama plan? A coalition of environmentalists state that nuclear power has no place in the economic stimulous bill. However, in Obama’s bill much will be spent on nuclear power.Some of the main arguments such energy include that (1) no new reactor could go online for over a decade and (2) they often have cost over runs. Moreover, (3) waste is still a problem and (4) and reusing after reprocessing nuclear waste is still a pie-in-the sky dangerous technology.On the other hand, those for other alternative energy powerplants being more supported the stimulus bill include: (1) the wind, tidal, solar and other new technologies don’t cause nuclear fallout if attacked by terrorists or an accident, (2) essentially only socialist countries, like France, can hide the overall costs of nuclear production, i.e. cost overruns–and Americans don’t want to have socialist owned energy firms and nuclear fall-out damage insurance.Check out the rambunction debate on this website on the topic by a former Greenpeace member turned nuclear lobbyist and an environmental journalist.
OpEdNews » Poll: Should atomic energy be part of the Obama plan?
Tags: nuclear, antinuclear, uranium, radioactive
Many Oppose Uranium Jobs|
Many Oppose Uranium Jobs
ABC 13 (video) 02/09/09 reporter: Sarah Bloom producer: Amy Fosterfolks are worried about the side effects. Virginia Uranium Incorporated is pumping the economic benefits, in the form of 300 to 500 jobs, with starting salaries of $65,000 to $70,000. With having a job almost a luxury these days, news of hundreds of possible openings is eye opening……………………………But that enthusiasm is terrifying to people like Eloise Nenon. She’s spent hours fighting the mining industry. Eloise Nenon, Against Mining – “In areas where they have uranium mining you have horrendous birth defects, you have rampant lung cancer, and many other physical problems.”………………Breathing puts your health at a price right now, so it’s we’ve got to decide what’s more important.” For Nenon, and others opposed to mining, that’s a frightening realization. Barbara Hancock, Against Mining – “As a nurse, I feel any amount of money wouldn’t be worth living in those conditions.”
Many Oppose Uranium Jobs|ABC 13
Tags: nuclear, antinuclear, uranium, radioactive
Obama says renewable energy key to economic future | Markets | Reuters
Obama says renewable energy key to economic future
By Tom Doggett
WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday pushed for more investment in solar and wind energy, saying the country that can make renewable energy sources price-competitive with traditional fossil fuels will become the economic superpower of the future.
Obama, speaking at a townhall meeting in Elkhart, Indiana, said renewable energy companies needed tax breaks and loan guarantees to provide incentives for firms to manufacture and customers to purchase solar and wind energy………………… Obama called on Congress to require U.S. utilities to generate a certain amount of their electricity supplies, such as 15 to 20 percent, from renewable energy sources……………………
He said that, once such a benchmark is set, then renewable energy companies can “count on a pretty solid market that they’re going to be able to sell their energy to.”
The Senate En
Obama says renewable energy key to economic future | Markets | Reuters
Tags: renewables
1 This Month
19 November – Webinar – The Reality of Reprocessing
Time: 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US & Canada) / 2:00 PM Eastern / 7:00 PM UK / 8:00 PM CET
Register for the Zoom Event Here
Shut down the radiation-damaged Heysham nuclear reactors now
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity – go to https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com
Say No to NASA’s Reckless Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
Say No to NASA’s Reckless Nuclear Reactor on the Moon
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